NEW ORLEANS—What else is there to say about the in-season reclamation projects of Jordan Jefferson’s life and football career? About the final, biggest challenge of Trent Richardson’s battering-ram career? About field-goal kickers who couldn’t make the ball go straight nine weeks ago in Tuscaloosa?

Who needs to hear another word about the titanic matchups of Nick Saban vs. Les Miles, and Saban vs. his former program? About each of the top two defenses in the country trying to keep Monday’s opponent out of the end zone for the second game this season? About one team’s “home away from home”-field advantage and the other’s worthiness to be in this game despite not having won its own division?

“The great thing about teams that are in this game,” Miles said on Sunday, “is they all have those stories.”

And those stories have been told. To death.

Now, all that’s left is the game itself. All that’s left is LSU vs. Alabama in one of the most anticipated title games in the history of the BCS.

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Not to mention one of the best matchups. If there’s a clear favorite to win on Monday, Las Vegas doesn’t know about it.

LSU won the first game between these teams, but not convincingly. The final score was 9-6—an overtime game played with such physical force that members of both teams undoubtedly can still close their eyes and feel it.

Why would the rematch be any different?

“I’d expect it to be big-boy football,” Miles said.

The Tide are ready to roll.

“I’ve liked the way we’ve prepared,” Saban said. “I think we are where we need to be.”

The Tigers are prepared to pounce.

“They’re a team that loves to play,” Miles said. “The lights come on and they want it.”

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LSU is the nation’s lone unbeaten team, having conquered an extraordinarily tough non-conference schedule and the best conference in the country. If it beats Alabama twice, go ahead and call it the best season any program has had in the BCS era.

“The only team that I’ve told them not to schedule is the Green Bay Packers,” Miles said.

If Alabama wins—especially if the score is close—there will be talk of a “split” championship. Some pollsters undoubtedly will try to make a statement about the BCS by voting LSU No. 1. It’s a story worth following, but really it’s beside the point.

“We only have so many opportunities to play in games that are as meaningful as this,” Saban said.

Down in the Big Easy, it’s hard not to get the feeling this game is the most meaningful in college football in a long time.